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Difference in Xanax and Librium

Does anyone know the difference between Librium and Xanax if there even is a difference? I ask because when I was in the hospital, I believe they gave me Clonidine, Visteril, and Librium and I felt fine. I have Clonidine and Xanax at home. I figure I could substitute Benadryl for the Visteril and Xanax for the Librium if they are basically the same med. I feel like I'm in the depths of Hell and can't get out. I know self-medicating is bad for us, but I simply feel as if I cannot function. I feel like I weigh a ton and even the slightest attempt at anything physical is unbearable. Thanks for all feedback I need all the support and answers I can get. Trying to :)...........

nixon, there is a difference. Xanax is much more potent and also much more dangerous over time. Also benadryl and vistaril are not a fair swap either. Vistaril is much more powerful than benadryl. Both will help you to sweep, but the vistaril has a much greater anxiolytic effect than benadryl, and vistaril has some pain relief properties as well.

Librium is the very first benzo and it tends to work well with recovering addicts/alchies, It has a half life of about 24 hours. Xanax, to be fair is the single most effective anxiolytic there is, it is also the most dangerous and the most addictive. I would strongly recommend that you do not take xanax for any kind of prolonged period. Use it occasionally as a comfort med if you must, but it will only solve your problem for the duration of the dose and xanax has a very short half life. Xanax/benzo addiction comes on fast and strong and its much more dangerous to quit than opiates, the wd effects are increased anxiety, insomnia and seizures. No joke. If you take it everday, you will be hooked. Its the only benzo that you can't ween off of with another benzo, it has to be a slow painful taper with xanax itself. Good luck, be careful.

Would you say my PCP would be more inclined to give me the Librium? What about the Visteril? Are these med's most doc's would give me about a week's worth of? I certainly don't want to take the Xanax if it has the potential to become addictive. That's exactly what I'm trying to get away from.

all benzos are addictive, especially if you're a recovering opiate addict. Many people on this board will use a small amt of a benzo just to cover the first few days or week of the detox, when the sleep is elusive and the anxiety is high. My advice is to stay the hell away from all benzos. Especially xanax. Vistaril is actually a pretty benign drug, I'm not suggesting it for long term use, but it does cover a lot of the bases in early recovery. I would suggest that you ask your doctor for clondidine(a blood pressure med) that will help with the sleep/anxiety and isn't addictive like xanax. If sleep is a desperate problem for you, then you may also ask him about taking a low dose of seroquel(25mgs) at night. It would also lower your anxiety as well.

all benzos are addictive, especially if you're a recovering opiate addict. Many people on this board will use a small amt of a benzo just to cover the first few days or week of the detox, when the sleep is elusive and the anxiety is high. My advice is to stay the hell away from all benzos. Especially xanax. Vistaril is actually a pretty benign drug, I'm not suggesting it for long term use, but it does cover a lot of the bases in early recovery. I would suggest that you ask your doctor for clondidine(a blood pressure med) that will help with the sleep/anxiety and isn't addictive like xanax. If sleep is a desperate problem for you, then you may also ask him about taking a low dose of seroquel(25mgs) at night. It would also lower your anxiety as well.

quote:Originally posted by micster
Then it took a loooonnng time to realize that it wasn't that drugs were a magnet and drawing me in, it was that I was in full-flight from reality and could always find something to make the flight.
Mic

Information in this forum is not monitored or provided by a medical professional. The information reflects member opinions only. Do not act on advice from these forums without first consulting a qualified medical professional. All content is copyrighted and protected by Aelius Group.